Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
classic vs classical
English answer:
best vs traditional
Added to glossary by
Oso (X)
Jun 24, 2002 23:13
22 yrs ago
10 viewers *
English term
Carol
classic / classical
Non-PRO
English
Art/Literary
As adjectives, what is the difference between these two words?
Responses
| 5 +1 | classic vs. classical |
Oso (X)
|
| 4 +1 | my understanding and usage |
jccantrell
|
| 4 | Here's what Theodore Bernstein has to say |
Kim Metzger
|
| 4 | Depends... |
cheungmo
|
Responses
+1
5 mins
Selected
classic vs. classical
Hi Carol,
Classic means "best", "first-class" or "masterly".
Classical means "old and established" or "traditional".
e.g. His most recent novel is a classic.
e.g. I don't like classical music very much.
Good luck from Oso ¶:^)
Classic means "best", "first-class" or "masterly".
Classical means "old and established" or "traditional".
e.g. His most recent novel is a classic.
e.g. I don't like classical music very much.
Good luck from Oso ¶:^)
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "thanks everybody.
thanks for the reference as well."
9 mins
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Mexico
Native in English
&
English
Mexico
Committed to Quality and Service
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
2249
Here's what Theodore Bernstein has to say
"It would be well if classic were reserved to mean of the topmost class or standard, and classical to mean pertaining to the Greeks or Romans or to other well established systems of bygone days. The meanings are sometimes confused, but need not be. It would also be well if sports writers were to think twice before designating home runs, ski jumps, annual games, and long basketball goals as classic. The overuse tends to cheapen the word."
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Note added at 2002-06-24 23:32:48 (GMT)
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\"there are many combinations in which classic would sound ridiculous: classic education, classic allusions ... Classic, however, apart from being used in plural as a noun meaning the general body of Greek and Latin literature, has its own separate meaning of outstandingly important or authoritative. St Andrews is the classic home of golf. Rylands v. Fletcher was cited as the classic case.\" Modern English Usage - Fowler
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Note added at 2002-06-24 23:32:48 (GMT)
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\"there are many combinations in which classic would sound ridiculous: classic education, classic allusions ... Classic, however, apart from being used in plural as a noun meaning the general body of Greek and Latin literature, has its own separate meaning of outstandingly important or authoritative. St Andrews is the classic home of golf. Rylands v. Fletcher was cited as the classic case.\" Modern English Usage - Fowler
Reference:
+1
15 mins
jccantrell
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
United States
Was nicht ist, kann noch werden.
Native in: English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
856
my understanding and usage
classic: serving as a standard of excellence : of recognized value
classical: of or relating to the ancient Greek and Roman world and especially to its literature, art, architecture, or ideals
or
of or relating to music of the late 18th and early 19th centuries characterized by an emphasis on balance, clarity, and moderation.
My take on it from the USA.
classical: of or relating to the ancient Greek and Roman world and especially to its literature, art, architecture, or ideals
or
of or relating to music of the late 18th and early 19th centuries characterized by an emphasis on balance, clarity, and moderation.
My take on it from the USA.
24 mins
Depends...
The two can be synonymous.
"Classical" refers to the era of the Greeks and Romans (classical sculpture, for instance), or the late 18th or the 18th century for music (starting somewhere around just before Beethoven). One can also speak of "classical science-fiction" or "classical Bugs Bunny" to mean "the original" or "traditional". "Classical physics" means "physics without the concept of quantum mechanics, relativity, or wave mechanics". It also means "the humanities, the fine arts, and the broad lines of science (a classical education).
"Classic" means "recognized as being the best"; "traditional", "enduring", "clean" (the classic lines of this year's Cadillac). It also means "memorable" (that Marx Brother's movie is a classic), "typical" (that's classic Tony Joe South), "authoritative" (the classic reference in the field is the Canadian Abridgement). Capitalised, it refers to the highest periods of Mesoamerican culture, particularly the Mayan culture (A.D. 300-900).
Any good dictionary would have told you all that.
"Classical" refers to the era of the Greeks and Romans (classical sculpture, for instance), or the late 18th or the 18th century for music (starting somewhere around just before Beethoven). One can also speak of "classical science-fiction" or "classical Bugs Bunny" to mean "the original" or "traditional". "Classical physics" means "physics without the concept of quantum mechanics, relativity, or wave mechanics". It also means "the humanities, the fine arts, and the broad lines of science (a classical education).
"Classic" means "recognized as being the best"; "traditional", "enduring", "clean" (the classic lines of this year's Cadillac). It also means "memorable" (that Marx Brother's movie is a classic), "typical" (that's classic Tony Joe South), "authoritative" (the classic reference in the field is the Canadian Abridgement). Capitalised, it refers to the highest periods of Mesoamerican culture, particularly the Mayan culture (A.D. 300-900).
Any good dictionary would have told you all that.
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